elizabeth house development by david chipperfield gets the green light

elizabeth house development by david chipperfield gets the green light
image courtesy of elizabeth house / david chipperfield architects

david chipperfield architects‘ proposed elizabeth house development at london’s waterloo station is to go ahead after a legal challenge against the project was thrown out by the high court. critics of the scheme suggested that the building’s scale would have a potentially detrimental impact on westminster’s world heritage site, however the £600 million venture now looks set to receive its long awaited planning permission.

comprised of two complimentary structures, the project is chipperfield’s first major work in london and intends to function as a landmark for waterloo, embracing the character of london’s south bank and providing a series of external spaces that reconnect previously disparate areas of the city. the 118 meter design contains living accommodation, offices and commercial outlets, cafés and provision for car and bicycle parking.

the scheme is comprised of two complimentary structures
image courtesy of elizabeth house / david chipperfield architects

the 29-storey north tower is a stacked form of stepped volumes that are clad with a unifying translucent white glass façade. the building is elevated above the ground through a 12-storey bridge spanning 108 meters. this engineering solution responds to the position of the underground tube tunnels which limits the positioning of the foundations. the high-rise contains 142 housing units and 62,000 square meters of office space. the neighboring 10-storey south building is envisioned as a contrasting structure, ensuring a vibrant and diverse streetscape. in scale and materiality it establishes a clear relationship with the portland stone and concrete buildings of the south bank.

the high-rise contains 142 housing units and 62,000 square meters of office space
image courtesy of elizabeth house / david chipperfield architects

the plans for elizabeth house also include the creation of 10,000 square meters of public space running the length of the site from victory arch to leake street, with new trees and plantation. this aspect of the scheme includes improved pedestrian crossings, better lighting and better access for visitors with disabilities. the entire length of the north building along york road includes a glass fronted gallery space that is open to the public with sofas, retail kiosks and free wi-fi.

the scheme includes improved pedestrian crossings and better street lighting
image courtesy of elizabeth house / david chipperfield architects

access to the railway network is improved with the replacement of the high level walkway with step-free access leading directly into the main station concourse. the development also enables future additional access to waterloo station via the former international terminal which has already been identified as a major priority for the british capital.

the scheme proposes to create 8,700 office jobs and a further 650 non-office work opportunities. it is also forecast that an additional £11.8m will be spent in the local area each year – significantly boosting the local economy.

see designboom’s previous coverage of the development here.

the plans include the creation of 10,000 square meters of public space
image courtesy of elizabeth house / david chipperfield architects

the entire length of the north building along york road includes a glass fronted gallery
image courtesy of elizabeth house / david chipperfield architects